Patrick Barrera — ADJ13039423

Applicant Patrick Barrera, in pro per, petitioned for reconsideration of a WCJ's March 5, 2026 Findings and Orders that (1) found no good cause to strike/disqualify regularly appointed physician Nelhs Betancourt, M.D., and (2) found applicant did not sustain injury AOE/COE in the form of respiratory, heavy metal poisoning, internal, or sleep conditions. Applicant claimed he was poisoned with heavy metals (arsenic, uranium, cobalt, cadmium) by a hostile foreign agency in connection with his work as a Manufacturing Technician at Northrop Grumman. Dr. Betancourt issued three comprehensive reports concluding within reasonable medical probability that there was no evidence of heavy metal toxicity or occupational injury, and the WCJ found these reports constituted substantial medical evidence. The Board found the petition was skeletal and failed to state grounds with specificity, but addressed the merits, agreeing applicant's claim of foreign poisoning was speculative and his injury timeline was internally inconsistent. The Board denied reconsideration.